Appeal 3282905

The appeal is allowed and the external door and window details submitted pursuant to [name] 5 attached to planning permission [name]/2020/0264 granted on 29 June 2020 in accordance with the application [name]/2020/0264/1 dated 16 February 2021 are approved.

The National Planning Policy Framework was revised on 20 July 2021 (the Framework). I have had regard to the Framework in my decision and I am satisfied that this has not prejudiced any party, particularly as the revisions do not alter the policies upon which this appeal turns.

The main issues are the extent to which the proposed windows and doors would preserve the significance of a non-designated heritage asset, [site address] , and the extent to which it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Crick Conservation Area.

The appeal property is one of a group of detached two-storey house of 19th Century origin built in the village by [name], all of which share similarities and are included on the Council’s local heritage list (LHL). [site address] is therefore a non-designated heritage asset, the listing of which refers to timber sliding sash windows found to its front façade and the conservatory replaced by the approved extension to which the window and door details relate.

The property is also located within the Crick Conservation Area (CA), so I have had regard to the statutory duty in Section 72(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (the Act). The CA covers a large portion of the village, including the numerous statutorily listed and locally listed buildings, and areas of green open space. From what I experienced, there is great variety in the materials and colour of windows and doors within the CA, including to the buildings found at street frontages.

In so far as it relates to the appeal, the significance of the CA today lies at least in part in the positive contribution made by the rich legacy of historic structures and the architectural legibility of their built fabric, including their fenestration. Moreover, despite the presence of a variety in the materials and style of window frames, those buildings with historic windows make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the CA, including those found at [site address] which are prominent in [site address] and from The Green.

While the approved extension incorporates historic design features to its roof that match those of the house, it is evident as a contemporary addition given the variety of the colour in the brickwork and the crisp appearance of the overall palette of materials. The modern, simple, yet contrasting form of the proposed dark coloured aluminium doors and windows, proposed for the openings in the side and rear of the approved extension, would therefore be clearly read as part of a contemporary extension to the house, thus justifying the use of non-traditional materials in this case.

Although the doors and windows would be visible above boundary walls from the south, they would constitute only one component part of the architectural composition of the extension and would not distract from the principal features of [site address] . The property would continue to contribute positively within its surroundings due to its balanced proportions and detailing, particularly that of its front façade.

I am also mindful that the Crick Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan ([name] 2020) (CCAAMP) does not stipulate the form that windows in new buildings should take and there are houses within the locality that do not incorporate windows of traditional materials or colours, including the property immediately opposite [site address] .

In light of the above, I find that the proposed windows and doors would preserve the significance of a non-designated heritage asset, [site address] , and the character or appearance of the Crick Conservation Area. Hence, the proposal would accord with the design and heritage aims of the Act, Policy BN5 of the [name] Local Plan (Part 1), policies ENV7 and ENV10 of the Settlements and Countryside Local Plan (Part 2) For Daventry District 2011-2029, the Framework, and the CCAAMP.

For the reasons given above, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed.